Most of us learn in time to understand that we all are different. Uncle Dennis and I did not always hit it well, but whether it was for conflicting personalities or the flow of circumstances is not important any longer. I choose today to remember you, Dennis Frith, for the man you were, and my memories attached to you.

My first encounter, that I remember, was visiting the family in the late fifties at your house in Thornton Heath. I remember that from the back window I could see a large cemetery. But most of all you made cakes at home. I believe somehow that you were beginning your successful career in the business of pastry. The smell and looks of sugar icing and whipped cream is something that no child can ignore. You were never one for hanging around chatting as I recall!

I did however get a better picture of you, when I took my big step, of starting a new life in 1968. Then, you and auntie Dot played a main role. By this time you had built up a considerable activity with several shops in the south of London and own production in what was called Frtith’s Patisserie. Your home and kitchens were in Barnes, so that’s where I came. You fixed me up with a room at Mrs Meltzer’s and gave me my first employment working at your office in Richmond. No one would ever ignore how important this was for me to start off my life as an adult.

Your favourite song was, for along time, Cliff Richard’s “Living Doll” and you did never miss an episode of the Forsythe Saga on television.

By this time you played tennis and had a passion for antiques. You were always in the look for a rare old painting and meticulously learned more. Whatever you did had a purpose and was well in line with the self made man you were. Rest in peace and thank you.

Foot note- In this picture from left to right- My grandmother Bua, auntie Dot, uncle Bernard, uncle Dennis, and my grandmother Dorothy Begernie Ineichen. Standing behind- my father João and my grandfather Joseph Ineichen. The picture was probably taken in 1951 in connection with my parents marriage on the 14 July.

After a long wait of nearly six years, conditions had been created for a return to Portugal without risking being accused of escaping the army. In that summer of 1974 it was decided we would take the trip and fly to Lisbon. With us the new baby that we would introduce to great grandparents, Joseph and Pat in London and Bua in Lisbon. Great-grandfather quickly gave the baby a nick name. He became “Barbershop” as he sang himself to sleep.

It would also be the opportunity for grandparents João and Pamela in Lisbon to meet their first grandchild John.

Besides all this, a return to a country that was still celebrating and where everything seemed to be possible. The revolution was on its way and nobody would stop it! Mistakes were made and consequences were laid on those who most probably were innocent. But the fear of things going back was there, as were the demands for nationalizations of all types of production. Like all other revolutions things tended to go to extremes. Many people that had businesses were seen as supporters of the recent regime. It was obviously not so.

We were met by my father at the airport, who said- This cannot go back!!!!

But before that landing, the pilot gave us the grand view, which is standard when coming from the north and landing from the south. The plane turns over Lisbon and gives the passenger the opportunity to see this beautiful city across the Tejo’s majestic estuary, the long Caparica coastline to the south and then across the whole city for a landing practically spot on it.

For the first time there was no fear from passport agents, instead a smiling welcome. Benvindos! Suddenly a uniform was something positive. Things had indeed changed. The emotion of this return was strong and I am not capable of putting into words the extension of these feelings.

We travelled with Helena to Great grandpa at Guerra Junqueiro avenue -where we all could relieve ourselves. After that Greatgrandpa drove away towards the mountains in Sintra and on our way there we got acquainted with the coast and the impressive Atlantic waves. We all ate at a restaurant.

As this was happening we were curious to know what Grandpa and Patricia were up to in Viseu. They visited a very large mansion that had belonged to Patricia’s family and that had now been rebuilt for rural tourism for foreigners. The house had been bought by a Dutch couple and now it was owned by English people. Patricia got very sentimental as she had such strong memories from this place. In the evening and after long farewells with kisses and hugs Patricia and Grandpa left father-in-law Julio brother-in-law Cristóvão (Quitó) among a number of newly acquired family members!

Sunday! The whole group went to Belém. Grandpa showed the way on the tram from Terreiro do Paço. It was boiling hot and Vótetta had made
sandwiches, for our picnic. Grandpa and Patricia went into the Belém
tower. Nobody else had the strength. D & D were also there and that was fun. Eventually we all went back for a short visit to Jerónimos.
Back in S. Bento, we kids went to the Estrela Park and lived an adventure with some other children. We ate out and Daniel and Jonatan followed with Grandpa for a glimpse of the Pombal statue.

We now lived through the hottest day. Temperatures were up in the 40s. We took a taxi to the Amoreiras where Grandpa opened a bank account. Jonatan and Grandpa had a haircut in Algés.
After that we could only stay indoors and wait for the sun to go down a bit. We visited the Poets Park in Paço d’ Arcos, and Grandpa explained about some of the writers and especially Alexandre O’Neill that Grandpa had lived with as a child. We now know that Grandpa has spoken to two people who are now statues O’Neill and Eusébio. Afterwards we went back on Vótetta’s car and looked for a restaurant where they could hit dead crabs with a hammer. Liv and Helena had gone to the beach and Liv got a rash.

Portugal is a fantastic country where unexpected things happen all the time! One needs to experience it in order to understand. Patricia believes it is all about holding on to high levels of adrenalin and that people get addicted. For Swedes who do not want everything organized and predictable (if there are any?) it might be seen as relaxing. Grandpa can cope, but gets irritated at times, like when they went to buy train tickets to Viseu and there were no people waiting- but the internet suddenly died. It all eventually started to work again but a lot of time was wasted…

Time is something that we cannot administer very well in Portugal because of the high rate of improbabilities. We were invited by Great grandpa to eat at the “El Corte Ingles”. We were there at the agreed time. Even Great grandpa was there on time but was waiting at another place and had forgotten his cell phone. Grandpa solved the whole thing by contacting Uncle Pedro who in turn rang Leonor. In any case, Jonatan and Liv were given each a check for 30€ by Greatgrandpa and his wife Leonor. Jonatan bought a pair of football shoes
and Liv a schoolbag. We travelled as fast as we could to S. Pedro and Great Grandma Pamela. She was irritated about several things, which had to do with her health. Everyone went off to the beach, as Grandpa stayed with Pedro to go through some papers with a Notary. Great grandma gave a flat to Grandpa. Maybe we will be able to stay there when we come to Portugal next time. So, thank you Great Grandma!

Daniel had had enough after being stung by a wasp and needed a special medicine. His finger had swollen up and it was disgusting to see. Vótetta collected D & D with promises of lots of food and other extras. They went to see Shrek 4 in 3D, which really impressed Vótetta. The others marched off to Cascais under the leadership of Grandpa. There, everyone got to taste different dishes and where there was a place specially suited for Jonatan, as they had a buffet where one could choose from 8 different vegetarian selections. When he sat down his eye caught something that looked like the fish “bacalhau”. We discovered that in Portugal “bacalhau” is vegetarian even though Jonatan did not accept that and gave Grandpa his bits. Patricia managed to find a dress to match an invitation from one of Portugal’s largest municipalities. Even Grandpa had to look for a suit! There was one that Patricia fancied… When we got to hear the price it was €3600. They looked a bit more and then Grandpa thanked everyone for the interest shown. The evening ended with a self composed dinner at the balcony of the hotel.Goodbye Hotel Londres!

The trip to Lisbon was a success. Liv and Jonatan (now with his Torres shirt) pulled a suitcase each from the hotel to the train station. Then we took a taxi that was driven by a man who had owned a construction company. Grandpa and the chauffeur spoke of world matters before we arrived at R. de S. Bento 638. We set up camp there and ate our first home cooked meal. After that, Grandpa had to go to the Finances which is like our Tax office. Liv accompanied out of curiosity as Jonatan stayed behind to recover from a minor stomach upset. Once at the Financas and after waiting for two hours Grandpa was informed that he needed a representative, and who was his representative? This was a complete novelty for Grandpa who was used to represent and not be represented. What to do? The search for a representative started so the group rushed to Great grandpa’s at Guerra Junqueiro. After a short dispute between Great grandpa and Leonor it was decided in favor of Great grandpa. Grandpa had now found a representative. Grandpa and Patricia went to the shops and Grandpa bought two suits. By doing this it was considered he had saved the shop from a pending bankruptcy! As Liv complained of hunger we visited a Nepalese restaurant that everyone was very pleased with.

After the long stretch between Barcelona and Valencia we were convinced that we had done the worst trip that the Spanish railway company RENFE could offer her passengers. In Valencia we booked ourselves at the Hotel Europa to get a much needed rest. This hotel was spot on in the centre of this important Spanish city with a view towards the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Our destination now was Andalucía in the south. I am sure we touched on Sevilla and spent a few hours there before heading for the coastal town of Huelva. Once there we were looking for somewhere to stay. Since entering France I was left in charge of communication, as I knew the languages.

I approached a young couple and asked them if they knew where we could stay. They promptly invited us to their home. There was no question about it… They just would not hear of anything else. Mona was very impressed as this couple with a small child prepared their own double bed for us to sleep in. They somehow settled somewhere else. This beat all records of hospitality before or after. We talked about it many times later and sent them a postcard thanking them and inviting them to visit us, although we had not settled anywhere at this time.

We were now prepared to meet the Pinheiros as they planned to arrive. My father came by car bringing Bua along and perhaps Pedro. It was a much awaited moment this one of seeing my grandmother. It was decided that my father would drive us to Merida where we could meet the rest of the family, somewhat like the changing of the guard. We took in at a hotel in the old Emerita Augusta, important Roman town, in its day.

Pleasantly enough there was a swimming pool at the hotel to cool us down!